Lionel Messi ready to retire from International football, says cried too many times

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has admitted that the upcoming Russia World Cup 2018 might be his last shot to create history with Argentina national team.

Messi returned to International football after he was persuaded by the football fans and president of South American Nation – Mauricio Macri, following his retirement after the 2014 World Cup final.

The 30-year-old played a decisive role in Argentina’s World Cup qualifying campaign, after being in danger of losing out a spot in World Cup 2018.

"We depend on the results, unfortunately. We feel that if we are not champions, we will not have another," Messi said in an Argentine television show.

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The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also emphasised on how he has been dreaming about winning the World Cup in Russia and how much pressure he and his teammates have been facing during the major tournaments.

The Barcelona forward has been constantly criticised for not being able to lift trophies for the national team. The South American giants lost the finals of 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2014 and 2016 editions of Copa America.

"I cried many times because of games like these, for lost finals, for what they mean and for not being able to achieve the dream of a country," Messi said.

"They were tough blows. It seems like having reached three finals doesn't help us at all. I imagine being able to be in that game, to win it, to be able to raise the cup. It's the dream I have always had and every time a World Cup comes it gets even stronger," he added.

Jorge Sampaoli's men will begin their World Cup journey in Moscow against Iceland on June 16. They have been drawn in Group D, which also has Croatia and Nigeria.